OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss has positioned itself for continuity at quarterback — pending a ruling that remains completely out of its control.
Sources confirmed Monday that Trinidad Chambliss has reached an agreement with the Rebels to return for the 2026 season if the NCAA grants him an additional year of eligibility. Yahoo was the first to report that news. The decision now rests with the NCAA’s Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, which is currently reviewing Ole Miss’ waiver request.
A shining star at Ole Miss
Chambliss’ first year in Oxford has already rewritten the program’s record book. After arriving from Division II Ferris State, the Michigan native guided Ole Miss to a 13-1 mark, the most wins in school history, and into the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Rebels will face Miami on Thursday night in the Fiesta Bowl with a spot in the national championship game at stake.
His ascent was not part of the preseason script.
Chambliss opened the year behind Austin Simmons on the depth chart, but an early injury shifted the course of the season — and the program. Once inserted into the starting lineup in Week 3, Chambliss seized control of the offense and never let go. He finished the year completing better than two-thirds of his passes while eclipsing 3,600 passing yards, accounting for 29 total touchdowns, and protecting the football at an elite level. His mobility added another dimension, with more than 500 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground.
Those performances earned him SEC Newcomer of the Year honors and an eighth-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting.
The postseason has only amplified his profile.
In Ole Miss’ quarterfinal win over Georgia at the Sugar Bowl, Chambliss delivered one of the defining performances in program history, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns while orchestrating a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback. The victory not only advanced the Rebels but also erased their lone regular-season loss.
As his national reputation surged, speculation followed. With former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin now at LSU — along with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. — questions surfaced about whether Chambliss could explore the transfer portal. Instead, Ole Miss moved quickly to solidify its future around him, contingent upon the eligibility ruling.
That ruling remains unresolved.
Waiting on the NCAA…
Ole Miss submitted its waiver request in mid-November, seeking approval for a sixth season based on medical circumstances from Chambliss’ time at Ferris State. Although he did not appear in any games during the 2022 season, the NCAA initially signaled hesitation, requesting additional contemporaneous medical documentation before making a final determination.
Chambliss’ legal representation escalated the case late last month, submitting extensive medical records and physician testimony in support of the waiver. His legal team, led by Thomas Mars, argues that the evidence clearly meets NCAA standards and that denial would result in significant and irreversible harm to his future earning potential.
On Sunday, Mars wrote Ole Miss’ Compliance Office and asked that they forward his letter to the NCAA committee.
“Based on the ‘objective evidence’ submitted by Ole Miss, it would be absurd for the Committee to conclude that 91 pages of medical records and a detailed letter from Trinidad’s treating physician do not constitute ‘other appropriate medical documentation’ within the meaning of Bylaw 12.6.4.2.2. What’s more, to deny Trinidad’s waiver request, the Committee would have to conclude that this unimpeachable, uncontested evidence does not constitute ‘appropriate medical documentation.’ In that case, no quantity of credible evidence could ever meet such an arbitrary, unreasonable standard.“
Attorney Tom Mars’ letter to the NCAA on behalf of Chambliss
Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding has acknowledged the uncertainty while emphasizing that the program cannot afford to wait.
“We’re recruiting right now like he’s playing in his last year of eligibility, which he is right now, and then we’ve got to go find a quarterback.“
Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding on Chambliss waiver situation
The Rebels are proceeding with roster construction under the assumption that Chambliss’ eligibility expires after this season — even as they hope for clarity that could reshape their quarterback plans for 2026. Golding noted that the lack of resolution affects not only Ole Miss’ recruiting strategy, but also the broader quarterback market.
For now, Chambliss remains focused on the task at hand.
Whether or not the waiver is ultimately approved, his impact on Ole Miss football is already undeniable. From overlooked Division II quarterback to the centerpiece of the most successful season in school history, Chambliss has altered the trajectory of the program — and may not be finished doing so.
Stay tuned for updates on Chambliss’ waiver as we get them!
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Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
